It was a day that is often called a “Chamber of Commerce Day” – a day that is so crisp and clear that it offers postcard-quality photographs that show why Los Angeles is indeed the City of Angels.

A panoramic view of downtown Los Angeles from the Top of the Park store at Dodger Stadium.
(Photo credit – Keith Hupp)

It was also a day that shows exactly why Dodgers Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda affectionately calls Dodger Stadium Blue Heaven on Earth.

It just doesn’t get any more beautiful than this – except for when the Dodgers are on the field, of course.
(Photo credit – Keith Hupp)

It was the day after Thanksgiving, a day that is traditionally known as Black Friday – the single-largest retail sales day of the year and the official kickoff of the holiday shopping season. But on this day it was called Blue Friday, as the Dodgers opened the doors to their famous Top of the Park team store at Dodger Stadium offering fans Dodgers merchandise for as much as 50 percent off.

But was it the absolutely spectacular Southern California weather or was it the great deals that drew nearly a thousand fans to Dodger Stadium, or was is something else – say… like… the fact the one of the Dodgers most popular players – Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner – was on-hand to sign autographs for shoppers?

An estimated 1,000 fans showed up at the Top of the Park store to get an autograph from Justin Turner during the Dodgers’ Blue Friday event. (Photo credit – Keith Hupp)

“I brought a ball for JT to sign but there were just too many people,” said 52-year-old Keith Hupp of Hacienda Heights. “I guess I’ll just have to wait until spring training to get it signed.”

But for those who arrived early, they were rewarded not only with an absolutely beautiful day, they also left with a Justin Turner (and/or Al Ferrara and/or Tommy Davis) autograph.

“I’m soooo happy!” said one youngster as he walked out the door with his Justin Turner autographed baseball. “He’s my favorite player!”

Arriving early paid off for these two lucky youngsters.
(Photo credit – Keith Hupp)

Although Turner is the only current Dodger on the Top of the Park autograph schedule this holiday season, several former Dodger greats – including Tommy Lasorda, all-time LA Dodgers home run leader Eric Karros and 1981 World Series tri-MVP star Ron Cey – are slated to sign autographs over the three remaining event dates. Here is the autograph schedule* for those events:

Saturday, December 5 – 10 am to 5 pm

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.                      Dennis Powell

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.                        Tim Leary

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.                          Eric Karros

Saturday, December 12 – 10 am to 5 pm

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.                     Ron Cey

12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.                       Tommy Lasorda

Saturday, December 19 – 10 am to 5 pm

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.                        Tommy Lasorda

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.                          Eric Karros

*subject to change without notice